Little Women written by Louisa May Alcott was originally published in two volumes in 1868 and 1869. The story follows the lives of the four March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—and details their passage from childhood to adulthood.

Story starts with the girls discussing about their Christmas that year as Mr March, their father is at the War. Mrs March comes home and has their father’s letter with her. As the story progresses, they find a friend in their neighbour, Mr Laurence and his grandson Laurie.

The four girls are all very different, Meg is beautiful and traditional, Jo is a tomboy who writes; Beth is a peacemaker and a pianist; and Amy is an artist who longs for elegance and fine society. They have their own vices, Meg is vain, Jo is short tempered, Beth is extremely shy and Amy is materialistic.

As life moves on and they learn about life through various experiences, they emerge out of their vices and turn into understanding and generous women.
The family goes through financial and emotional crisis. They lose one of their own and their father is also injured in the war. But they persevere through it all as a family.

Why I liked the book? Majorly because neither the girls nor their mother is passive. They are independent and take charge of their lives when need arises. Balancing their home duties with their passion, the March Sisters are a good example and I believe that Louisa May Alcott has given us progressive mother and daughters who we can look up to even today.

“Watch and pray, dear, never get tired of trying, and never think it is impossible to conquer your fault.”

“There are many Beth’s in the world, shy and quiet, sitting in corners till needed, and living for others so cheerfully that no one sees the sacrifices till the little cricket on the hearth stops chirping, and the sweet, sunshiny presence vanishes, leaving silence and shadow behind.”